WELCOME TO KUCHING

Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is simply unique. No other city in Malaysia has such a romantic and
unlikely history, nor displays its charms with such an easy grace. The residents of Kuching (pop.
650,000 approx.) enjoy living here, and take great pride in their fascinating city, which is reflected in
their attitude to visitors. Kuching welcomes visitors warmly, but it does not put on an act for them.
Instead it goes about its own business in a relaxed manner that hasnt changed in 160 years. It is
impossible to really enjoy Kuching from the air conditioned comfort of a tour bus. To make the most
of your visit you must put on your walking shoes, take to the streets (and the water), and join in.
Like all towns and cities in Borneo, the focal point of Kuching and the reason for its existence is the
river. Hiring a sampan to meander slowly up and down the Sarawak River is the best way to get your
first impression of Kuching. From the river you will see picturesque Malay villages (kampungs), a
golden-domed mosque, a Victorian fort, a whole street of 19th century Chinese shophouses and an
imposing wooden-roofed palace, all set against a background of distant mountains.
Kuchings city centre is well preserved and very compact; virtually everything that is worth seeing
can be reached on foot or by sampan. The narrow, bustling streets are crammed with shops selling
all manner of goods, from the mundane to the exotic. There are ornate Chinese temples, many fine
examples of colonial-style architecture, a beautiful waterfront and a number of interesting museums,
including the historic Sarawak Museum. There is an excellent range of accommodation, from luxury
via boutique to budget, good restaurants, and nightlife to suit most tastes and pockets. You can try
local delicacies such as deer meat and jungle fern, drink a glass or two of tuak (local rice wine), or
feast on a vast array of seafood dishes Kuching has an unusual name the word means cat in
Malay. There are a number of stories as to how this name came about, but it is unlikely that it has
anything to do with cats. The two more likely explanations are that it derives from the Chinese word
kochin, meaning harbour, or that it is named after the mata kuching or cats eye fruit, a close
relative of the lychee that grows widely here.
Sarawak is a unique and enjoyable tourism destination, and Kuching is the ideal base from which to
go exploring. The nearby national parks include the famous Bako, home of the rare proboscis
monkey, Gunung Gading, where giant rafflesia flowers bloom, Kuching Wetlands, which protects a
fascinating
mangrove
ecosystem,
Kubah,
with
its
rare
palms
and
orchids,
and Semenggoh and Matang Wildlife Centres with their resident orangutans. Literally hundreds
of Iban and Bidayuh longhouses are within easy travelling distance. Damai, on the nearby
Santubong Peninsula is Sarawaks main resort area, and many travel agents offer two-centre
packages allowing you to explore Kuching, go on a longhouse trip, visitBako and the rainforest and
then relax on the beach after the rigours of jungle trekking.
Kuching is also the ideal base for visiting longhouses. Local travel agents have a variety of tours,
ranging from half-day trips to nearby Bidayuh longhouses, to week long safaris to Iban longhouses
on the Skrang, Lemanak and Batang Ai river systems.